The Dangers of Synthetic CBD

You must have heard about CBD or cannabidiol. There isn't anyone who hasn't at least heard the term. Many may disregard it as the latest health trend championed by celebrities, like pilates or the keto diet.

The truth is, CBD is much more than a simple health supplement. To delve into the world of CBD, it is important to know what CBD really is.

What is CBD?

Simply put, CBD is a chemical compound present in the Cannabis Sativa plant. It is present in both hemp and marijuana, which are two main sub-categories of the Cannabis Sativa.

While cannabis has an association with intoxicating drugs, it is a much more complex plant. The intoxicating element is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is entirely different from CBD. While THC is psychoactive and consuming it gives the user a 'high' feeling, CBD has no such effect.

CBD, in fact, is full of therapeutic benefits. The health-related benefits of benefits of CBD, however, are not new. Cultivation of hemp has been around for a very long time, and its use for medicinal purposes is just as ancient. Therapeutic benefits of CBD

include:

• Pain relief

• Reduction in anxiety

• Fights cancer cells

• Improves heart health

• Relieves symptoms of diseases such as fibromyalgia

Why is CBD stigmatized:

Despite its therapeutic benefits, CBD remains misunderstood. Some people equate it with THC. However, with increased awareness and legalization of cannabidiol, negative views seem to be changing.

There is a good reason why CBD usage is becoming more and more common. Benefits of CBD are supported by hardcore science. CBD interacts with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) to enhances brain functioning and improves the immune system.

So, CBD is legal, safe, and has proven benefits. However, is it ok to take just any product claiming to contain CBD? The simple answer is 'No.' And there is a good reason to that; the production and sale of synthetic CBD.

What is synthetic CBD?

The increased demand for CBD has given a boost to an industry which was primarily a small-scale business. The rage for CBD and CBD products has spurred an influx of companies making CBD oils, tincture, e-liquids, creams and so on.

But not all CBD is natural. Because extracting CBD is an expensive process, some companies have resorted to alternatives. Creating CBD in a lab setting makes synthetic CBD. Synthetic CBD is a chemical with a structure identical to that of natural CBD.

Synthetic CBD is made of a blend of various plants, including; rosehip, nettle leaf, alfalfa and many more. Having the same structure, synthetic CBD acts like CBD when consumed. The C1 and C2 receptors interact with synthetic CBD in a way similar to natural CBD.

However, to equate synthetic CBD with natural CBD is wrong. The two may look and act in similar ways, but their method of creation is different. The way they react in the body also differs. Finally, the means to metabolize of types of CBD is also not the same. A detailed look at their differences is necessary. Let's compare both to see how and why these differences occur.

Synthetic CBD vs. Natural CBD:

Having the same structure and acting like natural CBD, does not make synthetic CBD a substitute for the real thing. The truth is that while man-made CBD can elicit similar results, it is not the same thing.

While natural CBD is very beneficial and has limited side effects, synthetic CBD is not as predictable. Being an artificially made chemical and using different techniques and raw materials, the effects of synthetic CBD are not always the same.

Here are some significant differences between plant-derived CBD and synthetic CBD:

• Plant CBD has an 'entourage effect' since it has many more compounds aside from CBD. Terpenes and other chemicals work to increase the beneficial effects of CBD. Synthetic CBD, on the other hand, works alone and may not be as effective.

• Since natural CBD exhibits an entourage effect, dosage can be lower. Synthetic CBD, however, has to be taken in greater dosage to gain similar positive effects.

• Synthetic CBD is also full of additives and other chemicals. Natural CBD is free of these. The impact of these additives is not always clear. At best, they might not affect at all. At worse, they may negate the positives of CBD or have some harmful side effects.

• Natural CBD has shown to stop cancer cell growth whereas Synthetic CBD has not.

Dangers of synthetic CBD:

Synthetic CBD works in a similar way to natural CBD, but the key differences mean that it is not identical in the effects it produces.

As many companies make artificial CBD, its production methods vary. Each of them uses different techniques and raw materials in the production of synthetic CBD. Therefore, the effects of synthetic CBD are not always clear.

Listed below are some of the adverse effects of artificial CBD:

• Nausea

• Increased heart rate

• Drowsiness

• Mental confusion

• Agitation

Benefits of naturally derived CBD:

Since synthetic CBD is unpredictable, that makes it potentially dangerous. Always make sure to opt for natural CBD when selecting CBD products.

Plant CBD holds numerous benefits. Other than the health benefits it provides added benefits like:

• No side effects

• Entourage effect

• Requires lower dosage

• No worries of additives

Overall, it is less of a risk to go for the products containing natural CBD. Synthetic CBD is neither as effective nor as safe as natural CBD.

Word of Advice:

Now that you are clear about the differences between natural CBD and the synthetic one, users can make a more informed choice.

The popularity of CBD has meant that every company is trying to get a piece of the pie. CBD products are a profitable business. Limitations on hemp cultivation and the expense of extracting CBD has given rise to laboratory made CBD.

Companies scrambling to create artificial CBD in laboratories lack oversight. Without regulation or set guidelines, synthetic CBD manufacturing is a messy business.

Transparency about the method of production of CBD and the kind of base materials used still is an issue. Hence, knowing the side effects of artificial CBD almost impossible.

It is advisable that users do rigorous research and only take products containing natural CBD. With any supplement or medicine caution is necessary, so CBD should be no different. Already CBD industry lacks regulation, so the burden lays with the users. Consuming CBD is beneficial, but there is a lot of misinformation.

Dishonest labeling is another issue. Snake oil is often sold as CBD oil. As the CBD industry has grown unchecked and still needs regulations, forged products are easily available. Users need to be wary of such tactics.

In a bid to make a profit, companies may not always be honest. Users need to become more careful. Always read the label to make sure the product has plant-derived CBD. Better yet, buy CBD products from a shop that advertises itself as making plant-derived CBD.